Heat fans hit the street and workplace in high spirit

On the street and on the job, Miami Heat fans are feeling the spirit. They’re dressing in team jerseys and in white. They’re shouting the familiar “Let’s Go Heat!” cheer. They’re flooding into sports bars to watch the action

Fans get another chance Thursday to show their spirit outside the arena as the Heat prepares to face the Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, down 2-1 in the best-of-7 series.

Heat pride showed in a variety of ways: Heat-logo shirts and the more subtle incorporation of white and red into workday attire.

Chad Knights, 45, of Kendall, broke his work dress code Tuesday — the regulation black and orange shirt wasn’t Heat colors. Instead, he wore a LeBron James jersey and red Heat cap, though the wardrobe choice carried the risk of getting him sent home from his job at Bayside Marketplace in downtown Miami. No matter.

"I'm supporting my team all the way, 100 percent," Knights said.

Others took advantage of relaxed work dress codes to sport Heat apparel during the day. Julia Haag, 30, of Coconut Grove wore a white shirt to work and later to Sandbar Sports Grill in Coconut Grove, “just for myself.”

In downtown Miami during his lunch break, Pablo Guevara, 52, of Cutler Ridge, supported his team in an understated fashion. Guevara, who works at Jackson Memorial Hospital, was one of the only fans at his office who found a way to incorporate Heat colors into his office-wear. Come casual Friday, though, many in his office "go crazy" and sport white Heat T-shirts, he said.

"During the week, this is the best I can do," Guevara said, gesturing at his white shirt, red tie, black dress pants and Heat bracelet.

Wearing a “White Hot” T shirt, Tara Tamsin, 24, got into the Heat spirit at work at Sandbar Tuesday night. Tamsin, who lives in Coral Gables but is originally from Connecticut, said she became a Heat fan when she began working at Sandbar, both because of the environment, LeBron James and because the team’s “winning affects my paycheck.”

In a twist on the many player jerseys seen at the Sandbar, Christina Gilbert, 21, of Coconut Grove, wore a T-shirt picturing Marilyn Monroe with a LeBron James jersey clenched between her teeth. Gilbert said her favorite player is actually Ray Allen, but “they don’t make any cool Ray Allen shirts.”

Though the Heat lost to the Spurs, fans are looking forward to another game Thursday.

Though his workplace dress code will still be a factor, Guevara said he will try his best to show his spirit.